An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood that forms between the inner surface of the skull and the dura mater, the tough outer membrane covering the brain. It is most commonly caused by trauma that ruptures the middle meningeal artery. While CT scanning is the primary diagnostic tool for epidural hematoma in older children and adults, ultrasound can play a role in neonatal and young infant assessment when the fontanelles are still open. In neonates, an epidural hematoma may appear as an echogenic, lens-shaped collection adjacent to the skull that compresses the underlying brain. Rapid diagnosis is critical because epidural hematomas can expand quickly and cause brain herniation if not surgically evacuated.
Sonography Term